Chevy Volt just a regular hybrid after all

[Vedubin01]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/shocker-chevy-says-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels-its/

"We've learned that the Volt , which Chevrolet has been making quite a fuss about calling an "extended range electric vehicle," is actually just a traditional hybrid with some... potentially misleading marketing behind it."

"Why insist this isn't just a hybrid when it apparently is? When the company went looking for a government bailout it was in part awarded one because of the innovation shown in the Volt. Now that we're learning the Volt is basically just a plug-in hybrid with a bigger than average battery pack"

F Government Motors

[joshh]

$41,000.00..............I'm sure these will be flying off the shelves.

Heading for another bailout soon with cars like that.

[E30 Wagen]

we need more clean diesel instead of all these weak hybrids.

[mrsleeve]

we need more clean diesel instead of all these weak hybrids.

The feds have effectively banned them form the US along with Uber efficient Gassers via the EPA.

[87e30]

the x5 diesel is fucking tits. Love the sound of diesel.

[e30s52]

the x5 diesel is fucking tits. Love the sound of diesel.

Yeah it is just the price and waiting list sucks for it.

[87e30]

Yeah it is just the price and waiting list sucks for it.

Hadn't noticed... apparently I'm not in the market. :(

Hopefully if there is a waiting list then they stick around.

[Ray Smoodiver]

Wait, diesels aren't allowed in the states? We just got a new delivery of cars at work, 29 out of the 35 were diesels.

[herbivor]

The feds have effectively banned them form the US along with Uber efficient Gassers via the EPA.

I'm pretty sure the American car companies have lobbied the government for these rules regarding emissions and safety to keep many European cars out of NA. Imagine what would happen to them if all European cars were allowed in? I'd be buying an Alfa Romeo the next day, or a diesel VW Polo if I was worried about fuel economy and saving the planet.

[Holland]

We do have Golf TDI's in the states, that's about it though.

[nrubenstein]

Diesel emissions standards here are tougher than in Europe. Additionally, until 2007, US diesel fuel would eat the Euro engines alive. (Too much sulphur.)

As for the Volt, well, if you actually read what they are doing, instead of looking at the headline, you'll see that this is actually pretty smart. There's nothing stupider than maintaining constant speed through a lot of wind drag with the engine powering a generator to power the electric motors. Why do a lossy conversion when you can do it more efficiently with a mechanical connection?

[joshh]

Diesel emissions standards here are tougher than in Europe. Additionally, until 2007, US diesel fuel would eat the Euro engines alive. (Too much sulphur.)

As for the Volt, well, if you actually read what they are doing, instead of looking at the headline, you'll see that this is actually pretty smart. There's nothing stupider than maintaining constant speed through a lot of wind drag with the engine powering a generator to power the electric motors. Why do a lossy conversion when you can do it more efficiently with a mechanical connection?

The Volt gets less MPG than the Prius.

[Philo]

We like being oil dependent, and we are proud of it.

The volt is a POS. Prius already kicks its ass.

There are so many bad ass cars available to Europe and not N/A. I'll trade a Dodge challenger for a fiat 500 abarth. Alas, I must wait until 2012 with my hopes of the release (which i'm sure will be crushed by chrysler announcing that they will not be selling the cars in NA).

[nrubenstein]

The Volt gets less MPG than the Prius.

Depends on how you look at it. If I could stand driving the thing every day (and no, I couldn't drive either one of them), I'd spend a lot less money on fuel/electricity using the Volt. My typical daily drive totals about 20 miles, which means that under most circumstances, I wouldn't touch the gas engine in the Volt while I would in the Prius.

Do I have any desire to have one? No. Do I think that hybrid/electric vehicles are pretty impressively wasteful relative to existing technology that we could have if it were allowed? Sure. But really, people are getting hugely worked up over absolutely nothing here.

[mrsleeve]

I'm pretty sure the American car companies have lobbied the government for these rules regarding emissions and safety to keep many European cars out of NA. Imagine what would happen to them if all European cars were allowed in? I'd be buying an Alfa Romeo the next day, or a diesel VW Polo if I was worried about fuel economy and saving the planet.

I have expalind this to you several times now.

one word and thats it, NOx